Former Open champion Todd Hamilton moved to the top of the leaderboard at the Verizon Heritage today as overnight pacesetter Alex Cejka battled to stay in touch.

Germany's Alex Cejka grabbed the first-round lead at the Verizon Heritage event as Jose Maria Olazabal found his way onto a leaderboard again at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Germany’s Alex Cejka gave the Verizon Heritage field a low score to aim at as he took the early clubhouse lead at Harbour Town Golf Links.

Scotland’s Alastair Forsyth came from five behind to beat South African Hennie Otto at the first hole of a play-off for the Madeira Islands Open today.

Sweden’s Carl Pettersson and American Jason Bohn have both pulled out of this week’s USPGA Championship at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Boo Weekley registered his first career win after shooting a three-under-par 68 for a one-shot victory over Ernie Els in the Heritage.

South African Trevor Immelman kept his nerve to hold off Tiger Woods and win the Cialis Western Open in Illinois.

South African Trevor Immelman led the Cialis Western Open in Illinois by one with eight holes remaining today – and 13 players were separated by just four strokes.

South African Trevor Immelman experienced bitter disappointment on the US Tour for the second week running today.

Chris Couch chipped in from 26 feet on the 18th hole to preserve his lead and win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Darren Clarke has been forced to withdraw from the Houston Open after receiving news of wife Heather’s medical tests.

Aaron Baddeley held off the challenge of Ryder Cup veteran Jim Furyk tonight to win the Verizon Heritage, his maiden PGA Tour win.

Phil Mickelson coasted to one of the biggest wins in US Tour history at the BellSouth Classic – and very much did it his own way.

Phil Mickelson may have failed to hang on to two of his titles so far this season, but he made a sparkling start to his defence of the BellSouth Classic in Atlanta yesterday.

Luke Donald achieved arguably the best win of his life today when he captured the Honda Classic in Florida – and with it moved into the world’s top 10 for the first time.

Pádraig Harrington was the only Irishman still standing at the Accenture World Match Play championship as Tiger Woods broke another record at La Costa near San Diego today.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON was the only Irishman still standing on a day when there was no keeping Tiger Woods out of the headlines when the Accenture World Match Play championship began at La Costa near San Diego.

Robert Allenby moved four strokes clear of the field after recording an even-par 72 in the second round of the Australian Open in hot and windy conditions at Moonah Links near Melbourne.

Ben Crane led from start to finish to win at the US Bank Championship in Milwaukee.

PÁDRAIG Harrington landed a 60ft eagle putt on the final hole to claim the Barclays Classic in New York late last night.

Irish golfers Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell have made the cut, but remain well off the pace after the second round of the Honda Classic in Florida.

Ernie Els has been confirmed as the only one of golf’s top 64 players missing the Accenture World Match Play Championship at La Costa near San Diego this week.

As things stand in the world rankings, Darren Clarke will play his compatriot Graeme McDowell in the opening round of the Accenture World Match Play Championship at La Costa near San Diego next Wednesday.

IRELAND and America have long and deep traditional ties. But you would not have thought so when listening to the different views of their respective teams in the lead-up to the World Cup.

EUROPEAN captain Bernhard Langer was very happy to use the world rankings in installing the US as favourites in the build-up to the Ryder Cup.

Ernie Els easily saw off the challenge of one European Ryder Cup hero today - but now faces an attack from three of them in the final round of the American Express world championship.

Tiger Woods has stretched his lead at the top of the World Rankings after impressive form at the WGC NEC Invitational this weekend.

Tee-off times in the second round of the United States Open golf championship at Shinnecock Hills, New York, on Friday.

Tee-off times in the first two rounds of the United States Open golf championship at Shinnecock Hills, New York, on June 17-18 (USA unless stated, all times Irish time):

Paul Lawrie, dreading what might happen to him in next week’s United States Open, was drawn to play the first two rounds with Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

Tee-off times in the first two rounds of the United States Open golf championship at Shinnecock Hills, New York, on June 17-18 (USA unless stated, all times Irish time):

PADRAIG HARRINGTON could well have one of the biggest galleries in the first two rounds after the US Masters draw paired him with world number two Vijay Singh and John Daly.

Davis Love admitted today he was ready to quit his Accenture Match Play Championship final with Tiger Woods after being heckled by a spectator.

TIGER WOODS last night retained his Accenture Match Play Championship title with victory over Davis Love in California.

Darren Clarke completed an excellent week’s work with a two-hole victory over Australia’s Stephen Leaney.

Tiger Woods tonight retained his Accenture Match Play Championship title with victory over Davis Love in California.

Former champion Darren Clarke was a semi-final loser in the Accenture World Matchplay Golf Championship at Carlsbad, California last night.

Darren Clarke fired two eagles in four holes as he booked his place in the semi-finals of the Accenture Match Play Championship today.

Padraig Harrington and Darren Clarke reached the third round at the Accenture Match Play Championship in California yesterday.

Latest positions in third round of the Accenture Matchplay Championship, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, California

Collated results in second round of the Accenture Matchplay Championship, La Costa Resort, Carlsbad, California

Accenture Match Play positions:

Accenture Match Play positions:

Padraig Harrington has single-handedly since April kept Europe representation in the top 10, golf’s end-of-year world rankings released today reveal.

WORLD number 42 Peter Lonard clinched his first Australian Open title yesterday when a birdie at the 72nd hole edged out US Open runner-up Stephen Leaney and Chris Downes by a stroke.

Peter Lonard fired a final round 69 to claim the Australian Open title at Moonah Links.

Chris Downes remained the front-runner at the Australian Open but there was little sparkle to his game at the Moonah Links course today as eight players closed to within two shots of the leader.